Bank Account Update Email: How It Works
You get an email from your bank, asking that you upgrade or restore your account. It claims the company is going through a system change or that they found an error in your account info. It provides a link back to the bank's website. If you click the link, it will take you to a website with your bank's logo and ask you to login by entering your account number and password. However, what began as a simple upgrade could result in a downgrade of your finances. Simply put, the website is not real, and the scam artists now have your banking information.
Here is a screenshot of a fake email, from Westpac Bank:
Bank Account Upgrade: How to Avoid
Ignore these messages, especially if they refer to you as "Dear Customer", instead of addressing you by your full name. Banks never email clients about any sensitive information unless the client has signed up for it. Banks especially don't email clients when they're upgrading their system. Beware, scammers use any bank's name!
Bank Account Update: How to Report
Make your family and friends aware of the Bank Account Update scam by sharing it on social media using the buttons provided. You can also officially report the scammers to the Federal Trade Commission using the link below:
Report Scammers To The FTC Here
Verify a website below
Are you just about to make a purchase online? See if the website is legit with our validator:
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Received an email from Westpac in Australia too. They kindly asked me to update my security as they have blocked my card. I don’t have a card with them
I just received this scam email, watch out!
Dear customer,
TD Canada Trust would like to inform you that:
Our system indicates that there is an issue with your account that may prevent you from being able
to fully use easyweb online banking and telephone banking. We need to update some information.
To solve this issue and prevent your account from being limited, please follow the steps indicated in the link below.
To do so, please click on the following link:
This serves as a normal procedure to insure the security, protection and to guarantee the good experience of our customers.
Department of trust and security.
Combining have and beings.
Copyright ? 2015 Movement TD Canada Trust funds. All rights reserved .
Just got this scam email:
From: Admin Team©
Sent: 30 August 2015 09:02
Subject: ID:177069 – ACCOUNT UPDATES ALERT! (2015)
Dear Microsoft! Member,
An Unauthorized entry was detected on your account, Due to our safety protocol.
You have to verify your account to avoid temporary suspension.
Click Here To Verify
Sincerely,
The Outlook Team
I just got this scam email, from admin@threathiker.net, with Subject title ‘Revision of you account’:
"Thanks for shopping with Amazon.com! Due to recent attempts to gain entry to our systems we are asking all members to verify their details with us. To help us keep all of our members safe please visit your account through the link below to view your orders, make changes, update your subscriptions and much more. Should you need to contact us for any reason, please know that we can only give out order or account information to the name and e-mail address associated with your account. Thank you again for shopping with us. Please update your account at our secure site amazon.com"
I just love the ones like this… (No I did not remove my name from the TO: block…
———————
From: Chase Online (chaseonline@email.com)
Sent: Thu 8/15/13 2:53 AM
To:
1 attachment | Download all as zip (28.8 KB)
Chase_OnlineBanking.html (28.8 KB)
(then the message…)
Dear Chase Online Customer,
We’re currently upgrading our systems to bring enhanced features to your Online Banking experience. As a result, your account is temporarily unavailable.
….
———————-
If my bank dosn’t know me, then I don’t know them…
BTW, any idea how e-mail gets send that doesn’t have an address in the TO: block??? I’ve tried, they won’t send…
I just received this scam email, I don’t even have an account with this bank!
This is a security alert from BMO Online Fraud Prevention.
We identified activity on your account that may be fraudulent and ask you confirm your identity immediately.
We have not fully restricted your account but you must confirm your identity in order to avoid any suspension.
Please Click Here to confirm your identity.
For your protection, transactions on your account may be limited until you are able to confirm your identity.
We realize that this precaution may cause you some inconvenience.
However keeping your account safe is one of our top priorities.
If we are unable to verify your identity electronically, your online banking will be disabled until futher verification is completed at your home branch.
Thank you for being our customer.
Jake Holloway
BMO Chief Operating Officer
These type of scam is common place nowadays. I believe it can be combated through education and enlightenment of the general public.
I work for Optus in Australia. I have been sent 2 messages from a Zoo Optus claiming that my details are out of date and need to be updated. account confirmation 50147.
If I do not update information my account will be suspended.
I have checked with my optus and all is well and this is a scam.
I just received this:
"The credit union center alert, your card has been deactivated, please call (765) 637-2846."
I am in Indiana and I just got one text message claiming to be from the Alliance Bank. Beware, don’t give the your information!